Solutions

PC won't run the System Information Tool

Q. You did an item on running System Information Tool. I tried that to read my autoexec.bat and config.sys files and it didn't work. I tried run, MSINFO32, enter. Selected Tools, System Configuration Utility and a screen popped up with this error message: "Unable to synchronize the environment variables in the Windows Registry with the environment variables in the legacy files Autoexec.Bat and/or Config.sys." I am running a Dell 933 with Windows Me on it. Any ideas on how to read the files?

A. I too had this problem at one time on my son's Windows Me PC. It is a known problem that can be caused by either a space after a statement in the Autoexec.bat file or a [MENU] entry in the Config.sys file. If you have [MENU] entries in your config.sys file -- an old method used for loading optional configurations of real-mode drivers -- take them out.

Otherwise, you probably have a "set TEMP" statement in your autoexec.bat. It's probably not needed so edit the file and remark out the statement by entering REM at the begining of the line.

Uninstalling System Works

Q. I have installed Norton System Works 2002 and have since been having computer problems. I also have been unable to get into a chat room for an online music class. I called my Internet service provider, Dell and Microsoft for help, but nothing works. I tried uninstalling System Works, but it is still there. How do I uninstall it? Do you have any suggestions about gaining access to the music class?

A. For uninstalling Norton System Works, any action required beyond the usual Add/Remove Programs shouldn't be necessary. Since this is not working for you, I would suspect that there was something wrong with the installation itself.

Sometimes reinstalling a program restores information needed for the uninstall to work correctly and may be something worth trying.

Ultimately you should try Norton support through its Web site. The e-mail support is free, although getting there can sometimes be a frustrating experience.

I don't suspect System Works prevented you from accessing the music class chat room. You didn't say you received any error messages, so here are some general things to check in instances such as this: In Internet Explorer (again, you didn't specify, so I'm assuming IE), click Tools, Internet Options, Security tab. Click the Internet globe, then the Custom level button. Make sure the settings for "Download Signed ActiveX Controls" and "Run ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins" are set to Enable.

When you try to enter the chat room and fail, check the status bar on the bottom left corner of Internet Explorer. There may be a yellow triangle shape with an exclamation point. This indicates some sort of browser-related problem. Double-click the triangle to have it display a detailed description of the error. This may give you a clue. And of course, check with any support resources offered on the chat room site.

Trouble with attachments

Q. I have been having trouble opening attachments from my inbox. My Internet service provider tells me that the attachments were improperly sent. However, it seems odd to me that after years of sending attachments my correspondents would suddenly start messing up on every e-mail they send me. I get the header of the e-mail, but no message, and I cannot open any attachments. Can you enlighten me as to what might be wrong?

A. It sounds as if you installed an Outlook Express service pack. I have written about this many times over the past few months. This is a new setting that gets turned on by default in Outlook Express. Microsoft, being the benevolent dictator of our PC environment that it is, is trying to prevent us from mindlessly opening e-mail attachments that may contain viruses that will harm your PC as well as everyone you communicate with.

If you are sure you want to open an attachment, you can toggle it on or off as needed. The option is labeled: "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus." You'll find it on the Outlook Express menu bar, Tools, Options, Security tab.

While this change to Outlook Express was part of the XP service pack, it's also in the latest versions of Outlook Express for any of the Windows versions.

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